Diffuser



y 1970 J. F. NEWELL ETAL 3,511,163

DIFFUSER Filed Jan. 15, 1968 United States Patent 3,511,163 DIFFUSERJohn F. Newell, Madison, and Reuben A. Zahler, Verona,

Wis., assignors to Wehr Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis.,

a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Jan. 15, 1968, Ser. No. 697,889 Int.Cl. F24f 13/08 US. CI. 98-40 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Thisdisclosure relates to a slot type air diffuser wherein the pattern ofdischarge from the diffuser is adjustable through manipulation of anelongated blade which extends longitudinally of the diffuser. The bladeis supported for pivotal movement in the diffuser flow passage about alongitudinal axis so as to vary the direction and amount of flowdiversion caused by the blade. The blade is also supported for movementtoward and away from the exit end of the diffuser so that the blade canbe positioned in registry with the exit end toclose the diffuser to flowor its spacing from the exit end can be adjusted to provide volume aswell as pattern control. Preferably, the blade is suspended in thediffuser by means of an L-shaped hanger. One leg of the hanger has africtional engagement with a connecting block on the blade to define thepivotal axis and the other leg of the hanger has a sliding connectionwith a bracket support to permit movement of the hanger and blade towardand away from the exit end of the diffuser.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Field of invention This invention relates todiffusers and, more particularly, to diffusers of a slot type which arecommonly used to control the pattern of air discharge into a room from acentral delivery system. Diffusers of this type are commonly used in,but are not limited to, ceiling constructions.

Description of prior art Slot type diffusers of the type to which thisinvention relates have been proposed which incorporate variousarrangements for achieving pattern control. The most commonly acceptedtype of pattern control has generally used a vane or blade supported inthe diffuser for pivotal movement about a fixed axis to vary the amountof blade angle and obstruction to flow and thereby vary the dischargepattern. Examples of these types of controls can be found in US. Pats.3,308,744; 3,320,869; 3,295,432 and 3,185,- 068. Such proposals havegenerally required relatively complex arrangements for supporting theblade in the diffuser and have generally been lacking in versatility dueto the pivotal axis of the blade being fixed in the passage. The priorart also contains isolated showings of pattern control blades which aremounted for movement in the direction of flow through the diffuserpassage, for example US. Pat. 3,302,550. However, the prior art has notrecognized the versatility and simplicity of construction which can beachieved by providing an arrangement wherein the pattern control bladeis supported for both pivotal movement in the diffuser passage to varyobstruction to flow and for movement in the passage generally parallelto the direction of flow through the passage.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention relates to an arrangement of adeflector blade within the flow passage of an air diffuser, or the like,wherein the deflector blade is supported for pivotal movement in thepassage to vary the blade orientation with 'ice respect to flow throughthe passage and also to afford movement of the blade toward and awayfrom the exit end of the passage. The Walls defining the passage areprovided with lateral projections adjacent the exit end and cooperationof the blade and the projections determine the pattern of dischargethrough the exit end. Preferably, the blade is supported by a hangerhaving a first rod-like portion connected to the blade and cooperatingto define the pivotal axis for the blade and also having a secondrodlike portion which has a sliding connection with a support bracket.The sliding connection is such as to permit the hanger, with the bladeattached, to move in the direction of flow through the passage so thatthe blade can be moved toward and away from the exit end.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partiallyexploded, of a diffuser section incorporating this invention;

FIG. 2 is a section view along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the diffuser section with the end bracketsremoved illustrating an operative position of the pattern controlblades; and

FIG. 4 is an end view of an alternative embodiment with the end bracketsremoved and also illustrating a further operative position of thepattern control blade.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As stated above, diffusers of thistype have particular application to, but are not limited to, ceilingconstruction where the ceiling is to include outlets of an airdistribution system and where the diffuser is to control the dischargeof air into a particular room or area. It will also be appreciated thatalthough the invention is to be described in a vertically orienteddiffuser other orientations can be used and, therefore, the termsvertical and horizontal are used in the following discussion in arelative and not a limiting sense. Moreover, the diffuser can be used tocontrol flowing media other than air but since its major applicationwill be in air systems it will be described in that environment.

Typically a pair of adjacent T-bars are used in the ceiling framework todefine an elongated slot through which air is discharged. This inventionis concerned with the problem of controlling the pattern of dischargethrough the slot. As illustrated in the drawings, diffuser section 10includes three T-bars 12, 14 and 16 which are relatively spaced todefine a pair of elongated slots 18 and 20. As will be describedhereinafter, center T-bar 14 can be eliminated and end T-bars 12 and 16move closer together to provide a single slot.

T-bars 12, 14 and 16 include vertical, parallel sections 22, 2'4 and 26.The inner walls of sections 2.2 and 26 face the opposite walls ofsection 24 so that the walls cooperate to define two air flow passages28 and 30 therebetween. The cross portions of the T-bars are provided bytransverse flanges 32, 34 and 36 arranged in relative horizontalalignment but spaced from each to define slots 18 and 20 at the exitends of the main flow passages. The opposite ends of the main flowpassages provide the inlet. Flanges 32, 34 and 36 form the outer face ofthe diffuser and constitute the portion of the diffuser section which isvisible in the ceiling.

The outer walls of sections 22 and 26 are provided with L-shaped incross section strips 38 and 40 adjacent the upper or inner end of theT-bars. The L-shaped strips cooperate with the section walls to definechannels opening outwardly, or in the same direction as the inlet endsof main passages 28 and 30 open, to receive the edges of suitable ductwork (not shown). This provides a simple and effective manner ofconnecting the duct work to the diffuser section and, moreover, assuresproper alignment of the duct work and the diffuser section inlet toprovide efiicient delivery of air to the difluser section.

A single dilfuser section is illustrated in the drawings but it will beappreciated that a number of diffuser sections can be arranged end toend to provide any desired length of difluser. At this point it shouldbe noted that additional L-shaped projections are provided on the T-bars, specifically, projections 42 and 44 on the outer walls of T-bars12 and 16 and projections 46 and 48 on T-bar 14. These projections facetoward projections 50, 52, 54 and 56 on the upper sides of flanges 32,34 and 36 and define a guide way for receipt of a suitable joint member,not shown but which can take the form of any elongated strip adapted tofit between opposed projections on a diffuser section and span the jointbetween two adjacent sections.

End brackets 58 and 60 are connected between adjacent T-bars, onebracket having been shown assembled between the T-bars and the otherremoved therefrom to better illustrate the construction and arrangement.In addition to the projections already described as provided on theupper sides of T-bars 12 and 16, the T-bars also include opposedprojections 62, 64 and 66, 68. The end brackets each include a rearpanel 70, sidewalls 72, 74 and a top wall 76; the bracket can be astamping which is subsequently formed to the desired shape. Rear lowercorners of bracket 60 are notched at 78 and 80 and the upper side edgesof the bracket are separated to provide spaces 82 and 84. Bracket 58 hasa structure which is identical to bracket 60 and will not be describedin detail. Notches 78 and 80 of bracket 60 fit over projections 54 and68 of T-bars 14 and 16 and spaces 82 and 84 fit over projections 48 and64 as the bracket is positioned between T-bars 14 and 16. Similarly, thenotches and spaces of bracket 58 fit over projections 62, 66, 46 and 52of T-bars 12 and 14. When bracket 60 is in the desired position betweenthe T-bars, projections 54 and 68 are staked in the area of notches 86,one such notch being provided in each of side walls 72 and 74 to holdthe bracket against longitudinal movement with respect to the T-bars.Bracket 58 is similarly staked between T-bars 12 and 14. An end cover 88fits over the longitudinal end of each of the flow passages 28 and 30and-- between adjacent T-bars, the end covers being connected to the endbrackets by screws 90'.

The pattern of discharge through slots 18 and 20 is controlled by blades92 and 94 supported in the flow passages. The support for each blade isidentical and only one will be described in detail with the sameidentifying numerals being used for corresponding elements of bothsupports. Blades 92 and 94 are elongated to extend generallyco-extensively with the T-bars and slots 18 and 20, the blades beingslightly shorter and spaced inwardly at both ends of the diifuser toaccommodate the end brackets and covers. As illustrated, each blade issuspended from two support brackets 96 and 98 by hanger rods 100, 102,it will be noted that the use of two such brackets is not necessary inall applications. The hanger rods are L-shaped having a leg 104, 106engaged in pivot blocks 108, 110 fixed to blades 92 and 94 and the otherlegs 112 and 114 engaged in blocks 116 and 118 fixed to support brackets96 and 98. The blocks are characterized by being made of a materialwhich has inherent lubricity such as nylon, Teflon, or the like.

The pivot blocks will be more particularly described with reference toFIG. 2 wherein block 108 is illustrated it being appreciated that all ofthe blocks 108, 110, 116 and 118 are of identical construction and havean identical connection to their respective blades or brackets so thatthe description of one will suffice for all. Block 108 includes base 120and two relatively spaced arms 122 and 124 extending from the base. Agroove 126 is defined between arms 122 and 124 and the arms includeopposed arcuate recesses 128 and 130 to provide an area in which rod 104can be received. Blade 92 includes an aperture 132 for receipt of block108. To assemble the block on the blade, legs 122 and 124 of the blockare pinched together sufliciently to clear the inner walls of aperture132, or a similar aperture in blade 94 and brackets 96, 98. When base isin engagement with the under side of blade 92, the legs are released andspring back to their normal position with the block being held on theblade through the cooperation between base 120 and shoulders 134, 136provided on the block legs. The outer ends of legs 122 and 124 arebeveled at 138 and 140 to guide leg 104 of rod 100 into the groove andbetween opposed recesses 128 and 130, the bevels cooperating to permitthe rod to cam the legs outwardly for receipt of the rod leg. The blocklegs are constructed so that in their normal position the distancebetween opposed recesses 128 and is less than the diameter of rod leg104 so that the rod will be securely clamped between the block legs;however, due to the inherent lubricity of the material used to fabricateblock 108, the rod can slide freely within the block.

With this construction and arrangement of blocks 108, 110, 116 and 118and the hanger rods, blades 92 and 94 are supported for pivotal movementin the passages about a longitudinal axis which is located between thelongitudinal edges 92a, 92b and 94a, 94b of the blades. In addition, theassemblies of the blades and hanger rods are slidable in the blocksfixed to brackets 96 and 98 in the direction of flow through thepassages toward and away from slots 18 and 20.

Support brackets 96 and 98, which also function as spacers holding thedesired spacing between adjacent T- bars, are generally U-shaped havinga web and arms 142, 144. All four brackets are identical in constructionand therefore only one bracket 96 will be referred in describing thebrackets in detail. Notches 146, 148, 150, 152 are provided at thecorners between the arms and web of the bracket. The arms fit into guideways provided on the T-bars by opposed pairs of projections 154-156 and158-160, 162-164, and 166-168. Various methods of attachment can be usedto connect the brackets to the T-bars. Preferably, bracket arms 142 and144 are initially formed so that they are U-shaped in cross-section withtheir opposite edges having a suflicient flair to permit the arms toclear and be positioned between respective pairs of projections 154-168.When the arms are positioned between the pairs of projections, the armsare straightened, with a suitable tool, to slide into and wedge behindprojections 154468. This holds the brackets in place with a simple andeffective connection and one which utilizes a minimum of componentparts.

This completes the description of the structure of the diffuser andtypical pattern of settings of blades 92 and 94 will now be described toillusrate the versatility of the structure as well as the elfectivenessof pattern control.

Each of the blades is supported for pivotal movement about alongitudinal axis which is disposed between their respectivelongitudinal edges, the location of the pivotal axis for the blades canbe varied between the exit and inlet ends of the difluser by sliding thehanger rods in their respective blocks 116 and 118. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the hangers in passage 28 can be spaced sufliciently above slot18 to permit blade 94 to be pivoted into engagement with either flange32 or 34. As illustrated blade 92 engages flange 32 thereby directingall air flow through passage 28 to the right of the blade where, incooperation with flange 34, the air is discharged through slot 18 with ahorizontal throw to the left as illustrated by the arrow. Similarly, thehangers in passage 30 can be adjusted so that blade 94 can be pivotedinto engagement with either flange 34 or 36. As illustrated, blade 94engages flange 36 so that all flow is directed to the left of blade 94and with the cooperation of flange 34, discharge through opening 20 iswith a horizontal throw to the right. As illustrated by the dotted lineshowings of blades 92 and 94, the blades can be adjusted to permitdischarge through both passages with a horizontal throw to either theleft or the right. It will be appreciated that both blades can bearranged so that they extend generally normal to the T-bars or thedirection of the flow (in the manner illustrated in FIG. 4) and arespaced above openings 18 and 20. With this arrangement, the dischargethrough both openings will be vertical. The blades can also be adjustedto any angular position between those positions to vary the amount ofhorizontal throw to either the left or the right as desired.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative construction incorporating thisinvention. More specifically, it illustrates the use of this inventionin connection with a single flow passage. Center T-bar 14 has beeneliminated and T- bars 12 and 16 have been moved closer together toaccommodate a single blade 92 therebetween. This figure also illustratesa further function which can be achieved with this support arrangementfor the pattern control blade. More particularly, the blade has anextension between its longitudinal edges 92a, 92b which is greater thanthe distance between the adjacent flanges 32 and 36 defining the exitopening. The blade can be lowered until it is engaged in the exitopening and thereby provide full damping of air flow through thepassage. As illustrated in the full line showing of FIG. 4 and by thearrow, the passage between T-bars 12 and 16 is closed to air flow. Asillustrated by the dotted line, the volume of air flow can be varied bymoving the blade away from the slot opening, this can be achieved eitherby moving the blade in the full line orientation or by pivoting theblade toward one or the other of the flanges to provide volume controlas well as pattern control with either direction of horizontal throw. Itwill be appreciated that this damping and volume control can also beachieved in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-3.

It will also be noted that the blade or blades are arcuate incross-section with the concave side presented to flow and the convexside to the exit opening. This construction and arrangement is preferredas the convex side enhances closure in the exit opening to interruptflow and the concave side imparts greater diversion to the flow so thata more pronounced change in direction is required at the flange whichresults in a greater throw. It should be noted further that the marginaledges of the blades are turned inwardly toward the center about whichthe arcs of the blades are generated to provide flanges 93, 95 and 97,99 (and 101, 103 in FIG. 4) extending the length of the blades. In theillustrated embodiments these flanges are parallel to each other on eachblade.

Although this invention has been illustrated and described in connectionwith particular embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from thescope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus of the type described comprising, in combination,

first and second relatively spaced elongated wall means facing towardeach other and defining an elongated passage therebetween having inletand exit ends to permit flow through said passage, means extending at anangle to said wall means in said passage adjacent said exit end andspaced to permit flow therebetween,

elongated flow deflector blade means,

hanger means,

means connecting said hanger means to said blade means intermediate thelongitudinal edges of said blade means and defining a pivotal axis forsaid blade means extending in the direction of the longitudinalextension of said blade means so that said hanger means supports saidblade means for pivotal movement in said passage generally about thelongitudinal extension thereof to vary the blade means orientation insaid passage and with respect to flow through said passage to adjust thediversion of flow by said blade means, and means supporting said hangermeans for sliding movement in said passage in the general direction offlow through said passage and for movement of said blade means in saidpassage with said hanger means independent of said pivotal movement andin the direction of flow through said passage toward and away from saidexit end so that said blade means is movable toward and away from saidexit end while maintaining the orientation of said blade means in saidpassage and with respect to said flow as established by said pivotalmovement and said blade means is pivotable about said pivot axis withoutdisturbing the adjusted position thereof relative to said exit end. 2.Apparatus of the type described comprising, in combination,

first and second relatively spaced elongated wall means facing towardeach other and defining an elongated passage therebetween having inletand exit ends to permit flow through said passage, elongated flowdeflector blade means in said passage, a plurality of longitudinallyspaced, aligned support means engaging said blade means intermediate thelongitudinal edges thereof and mounting said blade means for pivotalmovement in said passage about an axis extending at an angle to flow andgenerally longitudinally of said passage to vary the blade meansorientation in said passage and with respect to flow through saidpassage to adjust the diversion of flow by said blade means, and saidsupport means also supporting said blade means between said inlet andexit ends and for movement in said passage independent of said pivotalmovement and in the direction of flow through said passage toward andaway from said exit end while maintaining the orientation of said blademeans in said passage and with respect to said flow so that adjustablemovement of said blade means toward and away from said exit end andabout said axis is mutually independent and one mode of adjustment doesnot atfect the other. 3. Apparatus of the type described comprising, incombination,

first and second relatively spaced elongated wall means facing towardeach other and defining an elongated passage therebetween having inletand exit ends to permit flow through said passage, elongated flowdeflector blade means in said passage, hanger means, bracket meanssupporting said hanger means in said passage, block means includingrelatively spaced legs defining a groove opening toward the inlet end ofsaid passage and each including an open end and confronting recessesspaced inwardly from said open end and said block means connected tosaid blade means intermediate the longitudinal edges thereof, and saidhanger means including a rod portion extending generally parallel to thelongitudinal extension of said passage and engaged in said groove andcooperating therewith to define a pivotal connection of said blade meanson said rod portion for pivotal movement of said blade means in saidpassage about an axis extending generally parallel to said exit end. 4.Apparatus of the type described comprising in combination,

first and second relatively spaced wall means facing toward each otherand defining a passage therebetween having inlet and exit ends to permitflow through said passage, means extending at an angle to said wallmeans in said passage adjacent said exit end and spaced to permit flowtherebetween,

flow deflector means,

and support means mounting said blade means for pivotal movement in saidpassage to vary the blade means orientation in said passage and withrespect to flow through said passage to adjust the diversion of flow bysaid blade means, said support means comprising,

bracket means supported between said wall means, first block meansconnected to said bracket means and including means defining a firstopening extending generally in the direction of flow through saidpassage, second block means connected to said blade means and includingmeans defining a second opening extending at an angle to said directionof flow, and hanger means including a first rod portion engaged in saidfirst opening and a second rod portion engaged in said second openingwith said blade means being pivotable about said second rod portion,said first rod portion being movable in said first block means toprovide for movement of said blade means in said passage independent ofsaid pivotal movement toward and away from said exit end and in thedirection of flow through said passage so that said blade means ismovable toward and away from said exit end while maintaining theorientation of said blade means in said passage and with respect to saidflow as established by said pivotal movement.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said hanger means comprises aone-piece L-shaped rod with one leg of said rod comprising said firstrod portion and the other leg said second rod portion.

6. Apparatus of the type described comprising, in combination,

first and second relatively spaced elongated T-shaped members havingopposed body portions facing toward each other and defining a passagethere'between having inlet and exit ends to permit flow through saidpassage and cross portions at said exit end of said passage extending atan angle to said body portions and terminating in relative spacedrelation from each other to define an elongated exit opening permittingflow therebetween,

elongated flow deflector blade means in said passage and extending alongsaid exit opening,

support means having a plurality of longitudinally spaced connections tosaid blade means and said support means including,

bracket means supported between said T-shaped members, a plurality ofhanger means, means connecting each of said hanger means to said bracketmeans for adjustable movement of said hanger means in said passagetoward and away from said exit opening, and means pivotally connectingeach of said hanger means to said blade means at longitudinally spacedpoints thereon so that said blade means is movable with said hangermeans toward and away from said exit opening and said blade means ispivotal about said hanger means and an axis disposed at an angle to saiddirection of flow and said blade means is movable with said hanger meanstoward and away from said exit opening independent of said pivotalmovement and in the direction of flow through said passage whilemaintaining the orientation of said blade means in said passage and withrespect to said flow as established by said pivotal movement. 7. Thecombination of claim 6 wherein said means connecting said hanger meansto said bracket means comprises first block means each including meansdefining a first opening extending generally in the direction of flowthrough said passage,

said means connecting said hanger means to said blade means comprisessecond block means connected to said blade means and each includingmeans defining an opening disposed at an angle to said direction offlow,

and each of said hanger means includes integral first and second rodportions and each having said first rod portions frictionally engaged inthe opening of said first block means and said second rod portionfrictionally engaged in the opening of said second block means.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said blade means is disposed inalignment with said exit opening and has a width greater than theopening between said cross portions of said T-shaped members so thatsaid blade means is engageable over and effective to close said exitopening to flow.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said blade means is arcuate incross section through said width dimension and arranged to present theconvex side thereof to said exit opening and the concave side thereof tosaid flow.

10. The combination of claim 4 wherein said wall means each includesfirst and second relatively spaced projections having confrontingsurfaces,

and said bracket means includes first and second portions each wedgedbetween respective pairs of said first and second projections toestablish the connection of said bracket means in said passage.

11. The combination of claim 7 wherein said first and second block meanseach comprises a body of low friction material having spaced legsdefining a groove therebetween, said groove providing the opening forreceipt of said hanger means between said legs, said legs frictionallyengaging said hanger means to hold said hanger means in an adjustedposition while permitting relative movement between said block means andsaid hanger means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS WILLIAM E. WAYNER, PrimaryExaminer US. Cl. X.R. 251-228

